arena3.jpg
A Seattle City Council committee is expected to vote Thursday in favor of moving ahead with a deal to build a new arena in SoDo. (AP image)

Port workers call for arena slowdown

BY KIRO Radio Staff  on September 13, 2012 @ 6:43 am (Updated: 9:42 am - 9/13/12 )

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A Seattle City Council committee is expected to approve a deal to build a new sports arena in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood on Thursday. But a group of port workers is calling for the process to slow down.

"I don't know why they have to do it so fast given that they don't even have a team yet," said Jordan Royer, Vice President of External Affairs for the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association.

A number of port related groups have voiced opposition to the arena proposal, arguing it would cause significant problems for transportation in the area, ultimately hurting businesses and costing jobs.

Royer said a number of promises made at a press conference Tuesday by City Council members announcing approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with investor Chris Hansen don't ring true.

"The people that wrote the MOU are not the people who wrote the public statements at the press conference but they don't jibe, they don't match up," Royer said.

Council president Sally Clark disagreed.

"The new and improved agreement with Mr. Hansen makes this a sound step for Seattle," said Clark. "We set out to make sure the general fund is protected, freight mobility is helped, and that we have help in charting the future of Key. We achieved these goals."

Even if the Seattle City and King County Council's both approve the MOU as expected, it still faces a lengthy review process that could take at least a year before construction can begin.

"The negotiated changes allow us to address long-standing transportation problems, preserve good jobs and protect Seattle's taxpayers," said Councilmember Tim Burgess, Chair of the Council's committee that analyzed the agreement.

"We're not trying to stop the whole thing from happening by any stretch. We just think the process could be improved a bit. More transparency," Royer said.

KIRO Radio Staff, Staff report
Straight from the newsdesk.
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Comments (10)


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  • shark75 wrote...
    Port workers call for arena slowdown
    September 13, 2012 7:11 am
    They need something to bytch about I guess.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rodneytom wrote...
    Port Slowdown
    September 13, 2012 7:26 am
    How about we combine the port of Seattle with the port of Tacoma - In Tacoma. Think about the efficiencies gained and the real estate Values if all of the port property was coverted to residential/retail! The elimination of trucking traffic in the area would also extend the road life and improve traffic flow for all.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • calapete wrote...
    agreed Rodneytom
    September 13, 2012 9:02 am
    The Port should combine now, or die off as more and more freight moves to Tacoma where land is cheap. Seattle's waterfront is to valuable for Freight operations, this isn't the 60's anymore.

    I am going to boycott the Port and not buy anything shipped in a container. It should be a short boycott!

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vern ivan wrote...
    billions
    September 13, 2012 7:39 am
    nothing for your poor brethern all for a game. NBA, NFL, NASCAR.... you could do better. Feed a few souls rather then bask in your field comfort.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • vern ivan wrote...
    AND
    September 13, 2012 7:47 am
    History repeats: Build a huge stadium, dig a hole to provide access to it then watch your society disintergrate. Silly humans.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    Its nothing more than a Money Grab
    September 13, 2012 9:34 am
    by the Port. Plain and simple.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sfk360 wrote...
    Rick
    September 13, 2012 10:00 am
    is spot on.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MFCEO wrote...
    Its statements like this....
    September 13, 2012 10:22 am
    ....that make me want to bang my head against a wall: ""I don't know why they have to do it so fast given that they don't even have a team yet," said Jordan Royer, Vice President of External Affairs for the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association." - What are you not understanding here? Hansen has to have a deal for an arena in place to take to the NBA to be in the conversation for a team. It's like the Port thinks that because the deal is approved, that shovels will be in the ground immediately. No ground is broken until a team is on its way. It's not that difficult to understand.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Rick W7PSK wrote...
    And dont forget the 15 Lawsuits
    September 13, 2012 10:33 am
    by the Evirons that they will drop every 6 months for more studies to cost it even more.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Frogsplash wrote...
    What part does the port want to slow down?
    September 13, 2012 12:56 pm
    This proposal was first brought public in Feb. Hansen, the mayor, the county, and the city, had been talking prior to that. No ground can be broke until all of the impact studies, and the Key arena study are done. That is another year at minimum. How is almost 2 years in the end a "fast process"? The Port got their bluff called when the extra 40 million got kicked in for traffic mitigation. Now they are going to see if they can't get a SEPA study to stick.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }